The annual Labor Day Walk across the Mackinac Bridge is a tradition that began 62-years ago.  The walk started in late June 1958, during the Mackinac Bridge dedication ceremony, led by then Governor G. Mennen Williams.  That first walk, only 68 people participated, but over the years it has grown to as many as 85,000 in 1992 when President George H. W. Bush crossed the Mighty Mack.  Other changes have also occurred since its inception.  In 1959 the walk was officially moved to Labor Day, and from 1959 to 1964 walkers alternated north to south in consecutive years.  Additionally, in 2017, all vehicular traffic on the bridge was stopped to allow individuals to walk the full length or go halfway and turn back.

For my family, the tradition of attending the bridge walk started about eight years ago with my wife, Jami, and my daughter.   They got together with my wife’s best friend and daughter and left our home in Dewitt at about 5:30 a.m. to head north.   Over the years, other family and friends have joined them for the walk, concluding with the annual stop at a certain restaurant in Mackinac City for lunch and pie.  Just like the original bridge walk, our family bridge walk has also seen some changes. With the daughters now off to college, who would take over to assist with this very Michigan tradition? Enter yours truly.

Last year was my first walk on the bridge and it was everything you can hope for in an event.  It is well run, and everyone is in a great mood. For my first walk, I went with Jami and my father in-law. The weather was great and the experience of being on the deck of the bridge overlooking the Straits, is breath-taking.  This year, Jami and I walked by ourselves.  The experience was just like previous years, with one difference. Unlike last year, the halfway point was not clearly marked.  During the walk, Jami and I were looking at the giant flag on the norther tower, thinking that is where we need to turn around and head back to Mackinac City.  Nope, as we kept walking, I asked one of the many State Troopers where the half-way point was, his response; you already past it.  However, we decided to make it to the north tower, then turned back toward Mackinac City to complete the walk. Luckily, we stopped to ask the trooper, or we may have ended up on the opposite side of the bridge as our car.

Like every previous year we ended our day on the bridge at our traditional restaurant, with pie.   If you get the chance to walk the Mackinac Bridge, I strongly encourage it.  It may seem intimidating at first, but once you are there, it is a great experience and you will feel a great sense of pride in your state and accomplishment for yourself.   See you next Labor Day.

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